Vehicle door collision plate and latch

ABSTRACT

A collision plate having a collision plate hole is bolted to the inside of a vehicle door. A door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole is bolted to the vehicle frame. When the door is closed the collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole are aligned and a latching rod, mounted for reciprocal movement in the door, can move in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and door frame latching member hole to latch and unlatch the collision plate and door frame latching member. The latching rod may be moved by an inside handle mechanism, an outside handle mechanism or a rod handle.

[54] VEHICLE DOOR COLLISION PLATE AND LATCH [76] Inventor: Jay J. Bayless, l92l Colorado Street, Topeka, Kans. 66607 22 Filed: Feb. 10,1971

21 Appl.No.:ll4,l10

[52] US. Cl ..296/I52, 292/DIG. 65, 49/502 [58] Field of Search ..296/l46, 149, 152; 292/DIG. 65; 49/502, 503

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Ogley ..292/DlG. 65 Davis "296/152 X 1 1 Jan. 30, 1973 Primary Examiner Philip Goodman Attorney-Norman G. Steanson, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A collision plate having a collision plate hole is bolted to the inside of a vehicle door. A door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole is bolted to the vehicle frame. When the door is closed the collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole are aligned and a latching rod, mounted for reciprocal movement in the door, can move in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and door frame latching member hole to latch and unlatch the collision plate and door frame latching member. The latching rod may be moved by an inside handle mechanism, an outside handle mechanism or a rod handle.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JAR 3 0 I975 SHEET 10F 5 FIG.

INVENTOR.

JAY J- BAYLE SS ATTORNEY PATENTEDJAN30 ms SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTOR.

JAY J. BAYLESS ATTORN EY PATENTEDJAHBO 197s 3.713.691 sum 30F 5 INVENTOR.

JAY J. BAYLESS ATTORNEY PATENTEMmo 191a 3;7l3.691

SHEET '4 OF 5 282 I: am 250 252 Hg e 278 INVENTOR. I JAY J. BAYtESS Wail/ b ATTdRNEY PAIENTEDJ/m 30 1975 SHEET 5 OF 5 FIG. 7

FIG. 9

ATTORNEY VEHICLE DOOR COLLISION PLATE AND LATCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vehicle door collision plate and latch.

Vehicle doors have been provided in the prior art having collision beams welded into the door. Vehicle door latches have also been provided in the prior art where bolts are reciprocally mounted in the door for movement in and out of aligned holes in the sides and bottoms of the door and the ordinary door frame. Vehicle door latches have also been provided, in which two pieces are provided, one carried by the vehicle door and the other carried by the door frame, the two pieces engaging each other when the door is closed with the two interlocked by a bolt reciprocally mounted in the door to project into the two pieces.

A problem in the prior art is that the protective collision beams are welded into the door and must be removed by a cutting torch. Thus, when it is desired to repair a dent in the vehicle door the collision beams must be cut out with a cutting torch and then welded back in after the dent is repaired. Having been cut out and welded back in the collision beam may not be as strong as before. This invention solves this problem by bolting the collision plate in the door for easy installation and removal.

Another problem solved by this invention is that a collision plate is provided in the door to which the door hinges may be mounted to add greater strength to the door construction.

A serious problem in the prior art is when the vehicle is involved in a serious accident the conventional door locks may fail and the doors may fly open and the passengers may be thrown out causing serious injury or death to the passengers. This invention helps solve this serious problem by providing a construction in which, when the door is closed, the collision plate is securely latched to the door frame by a latching rod projecting through aligned holes in the collision plate and a door frame latching member. Thus, the collision plate is made a part of the vehicle door latch thus greatly reducing the danger of the vehicle door flying open in a serious accident.

Another problem solved by this invention is that a new and improved construction is provided for moving the latching rod that latches the collision plate to the door frame latching member.

Another problem solved by this invention is that the collision plate extends over a wider area of the car door than some of the comparatively narrow beams used in some car doors and thus protects a larger area of the car door from buckling upon impact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A Collision plate having a collision plate hole is bolted inside the vehicle door to the vehicle door front panel, rear panel and vehicle door bottom panel which has an aligned vehicle door bottom panel hole. A door latching plate having aligned door latching plate holes is bolted to the collision plate and door bottom panel. A door frame latching member having an aligned door frame latching member hole is bolted to the vehicle frame. When the door is closed, the five holes, the collision plate hole, door bottom panel hole, door latching plate holes and door frame latching member hole are aligned. A latching rod having a first rack formed on the first latching rod end is mounted for reciprocal movement in and out of the five aligned holes when the door is closed. The latching rod may be moved reciprocally by a door inside handle pivotally mounted to the door inside panel and connected to the latching rod by a linkage mechanism. A shaft having a first gear and second gear mounted to the shaft is rotatably mounted in the door. The first gear engages the first rack and the second gear engages a second rack which is mounted in the door for reciprocal movement by actuation with a connected outside handle. When the outside handle is pulled, the second rack moves forward and rotates the second gear which causes the first gear to rotate and move the latching rod up. The second rack is biased rearwardly but is held forward by a lug and flat spring recess until released by a striker mounted to the shaft end striking a striker plate mounted to the door frame rear when the door is closed. A rod handle is connected to the latching rod for manually actuating the latching rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS in the forward position and the rack body in the forward position;

FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 33 of FIG. 1 showing the outside handle in the rearward position and the rack body in the forward position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially exploded view of the vehicle door and collision plate;

FIG. 7 is a partial front elevation view of the door frame rear and the striker plate;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support and shaft;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the door frame latching member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings a vehicle 2 having a door 4 is provided. The door 4 has an inside panel 6, outside panel 8, front panel 10, rear panel 12, and bottom panel M. A collision plate 16 is provided. The collision plate 16 has a collision plate front end 18, collision plate rear end 20, and collision plate bottom 22. The collision plate 16 has a plurality of strengthening alternating ridges 24 and depressions 26. Reinforcements 28 are welded to the collision plate 16 to strengthen the collision plate 16. A top hinge 30 is bolted by bolts 32 to thecollision plate 16 and extends through a top front panel opening 34 in the front panel 10 and is connected to the front door frame 42 of the vehicle 2. A bottom hinge 36 is bolted by bolts 38 to the collision plate 16 and extends through a bottom front panel opening 40 and is connected to the front door frame 42 of the vehicle 2. The top hinge 30 and bottom hinge 36 pivotally mount the door 4 to the front door frame 42. The collision plate rear end 20 fits to and adjacent a rear panel recess 44 formed in the rear panel 12. The rear panel recess 44 has slots 46 therein. The collision plate rear end 20 has holes 48 aligned with the slots 46. A rear panel plate 50 fits in the rear panel recess 44. The rear panel plate 50 has holes 52 therein that are aligned with the holes 48 and slots 46. This is shown in FIG. 6. Bolts (now shown) extend through holes 52, slots 46 and holes 48 and securely bolt the collision plate rear end 20 to the rear panel 12. The slots 46 are slots rather than holes to allow some adjustment of the collision plate 16. The collision plate front end 18 has holes 52 that align with the holes (not shown) in the front panel 10. Bolts (not shown) extend through aligned holes 52 and the holes (not shown) in the front panel and securely bolt the collision plate front end 18 to the front panel 10. A U-shaped door latching plate 54 is provided. The door latching plate top 56 fits snugly against the bottom panel 14. The door latching plate top 56 has holes (not shown) that are aligned with holes (not shown) in the bottom panel 14 and holes (not shown) in the collision plate bottom 22. Bolts 60 extend through the holes (not shown) in the collision plate bottom 22, the holes (not shown) in the bottom panel 14 and the holes (not shown) in the door latching plate 54 and securely bolt together the collision plate 16, bottom panel 14 and door latching plate 54.

A door frame latching member 62 is provided. The latching member 62 has a member back 64, member top 66, member from 68 and member bottom 70. The member bottom 70 has a member extension 72. The door frame latching member 62 is shown in perspective in FIG. 9. The door frame latching member 62 is bolted to the vehicle frame 74 by bolts 76 bolted through slots 78 in the member back 64 and holes (not shown) in the vehicle frame 74. The slots 78 are slots rather than holes to allow some adjustments when mounting the latching member 62 to the vehicle frame 74. FIG. 3 shows a vehicle body member 80 also mounted to the vehicle frame 74 by the bolts 76 through the member back 64 and vehicle frame 74 and by bolts 82 bolted through the vehicle body member 80 and the vehicle frame 74. A vehicle floor carpet 84 is also shown.

A latching rod 86 is provided. The latching rod 86 is shown divided into an upper rod 88 and lower rod 90 but could be one piece. The upper rod 88 has an upper rod sphere 92 on its lower end and the lower rod 90 has a lower rod sphere 94 on its upper end. A cylinder 96 is provided. The cylinder 96 has a cylinder bottom 98 that has a hole (not shown). The cylinder 96 also has a cylinder top 100 that has a hole 101 and which screws on the upper end of the cylinder 96. The hole (not shown) in the cylinder bottom 98 and the hole 101 in the cylinder top 100 are bored to snugly but slidably fit the lower rod 90 and upper rod 88 respectively. The lower rod sphere 94 is larger than the hole (not shown) in the cylinder bottom 98 and the upper rod sphere 92 is larger than the hole 101 in the cylinder top 100. The lower rod 90 is positioned with the lower rod sphere 94 inside the cylinder 96 with the lower rod 90 projecting downwardly through the hole (not shown) in the cylinder bottom 98. The upper rod 88 is positioned with the upper rod sphere 92 inside the cylinder 96 and the upper rod 88 projecting through the hole 101 in the cylinder top 100. A rod spring 102 is positioned in the cylinder 96 to bias the upper rod sphere 92 and lower rod sphere 94 apart. Thus a means is provided whereby the lower rod may be moved upwardly although the upper rod 88 is securely held and yet the lower rod 90 will move with the upper rod 88 when the upper rod 88 moves up or down. But, if the latching rod 86 is moved down and strikes something the upper rod 88 can move on down while the lower rod 90 is stopped. A bracket plate 104 having holes 106 is bolted by bolts 108 to the bottom panel 14. A bracket member 110 is mounted, as by welding, to the bracket plate 104 and abuts against the bottom panel 14. If desired, the bracket member 110 could be welded to the bottom panel 14. The bracket member 110 is used to more firmly mount the bracket plate 104. A sleeve 112 is mounted, as by welding, to the bracket plate 104. The sleeve 112 has a hole 113 in the sleeve top 114 and a hole (not shown) in the sleeve bottom 116 which slidably engage the lower rod 90 which is positioned through the holes 113 and hole (not shown) for reciprocal movement therein.

A door inside handle 118 is provided. An inside handle rod 120 projects through a hole (not shown) in the inside panel 6 and is mounted to the door inside handle 118 as by screwing. A ridge 122 is formed around the periphery of the inside handle rod 120 to prevent the inside handle rod 120 from moving inwardly through the hole (not shown) in the inside panel 6. An inside handle spacer 124 is mounted between the inside handle 118 and the inside panel 6 to hole the inside handle 118 away from the inside panel 6 and to hold the ridge 112 snugly against the inside panel 6. A link member 126 is mounted to the end of the inside handle rod 120 remote from the inside handle 118. A bolt 127 projects through a hole (not shown) in the inside panel 6. A nut 128 is threaded on the bolt 127. A latching rod actuating member 130 having a hole 132 is pivotally mounted to the bolt 127 by snugly slipping the bolt 127 through the hole 132. A first spacer 134 is mounted over the bolt 127 between the not 128 and the actuating member 130 and a second spacer 136 is mounted over the bolt 127 between the actuating member 130 and the inside panel 6 to hold the actuating member 130 at the desired position on the bolt 127. An actuating rod 138 is formed on or welded to the latching rod 86. A pair of ridges 140 are formed on the actuating rod 138. A grooved roller 142 having a groove 144 is rotatably mounted on the actuating rod 138 between the ridges 140 so that the grooved roller 142 is rotatably positioned as desired on the actuating rod 138. The actuating member 130 has a hook 146 that engages the groove 144 of the grooved roller 142. A connecting rod 148 has a first turned end 150 pivotally mounted in a hole in the actuating member 130 and held in place by first cotter pin 152 and a second turned end 154 pivotally mounted in a hole in the link member 126 and held in place by second cotter pin 156. Thus, it can now be seen that by moving inside handle 118 down, the link member 126, connecting rod 148 and actuating member 130 are moved forward and the hook 146 is moved up, raising the latching rod 86. Similarly, when the inside handle 118 is moved up, the hook 146 is moved down and the latching rod 86 can be moved down.

A rod handle 158 having an eye 160 on the lower end is provided. The eye 160 fits over the end of the actuating rod 138 and is held on the actuating rod 138 by being placed between a ridge 162 formed on the actuating rod 138 and a washer 164 which is held on actuating rod 138 by third cotter pin 166. The rod handle 158 extends upwardly through a hole in the door top panel 168. A button 170 is mounted on the upper end of the rod handle 158. It can now be seen that moving the button 170 upwardly will pull the latching rod 86 upwardly and moving the button 170 down will move the latching rod 86 downwardly.

A downturned ledge 172 is provided on the upper edge of the collision plate 16. The ledge 172 has vertical slots 174. A bearing member 176 having a bearing member back 178, first bearing member side 180, and second bearing member side 182 is provided. The bearing member back 178 has a horizontal slot 184. The bearing member 176 is bolted to the ledge 172 by bolts 186 that are bolted through the aligned vertical slots 174 and horizontal slot 184. The vertical slots 174 and horizontal slot 184 are slots rather than holes to allow adjustment of the bearing member 176 on the ledge 172. A V-shaped bracket 188 is mounted, as by weld ing, to the bearing member back 178. A guide 190 is mounted, as by welding, in the crotch of the V-shaped bracket 188. The guide 190 guides the latching rod 86 which moves up and down in the guide 190. A stop 192 is mounted to the top of the latching rod 86 and extends over the guide 190 and stops the top of the latching rod 86 from moving below the top of the guide 190.

A shaft 194 is rotatably mounted in the first bearing member side 180 and second bearing member side 182. A first gear 196 is securely mounted on the shaft 194 between the first bearing member side 180 and second bearing member side 182. A second gear 198 is securely mounted on the shaft 194 near the end of the shaft 194 remote from the rear panel 12. A first rack 200 is formed on the upper portion of the latching rod 86. The first rack 200 engages the first gear 196 so that when the shaft 194 rotates clockwise, the latching rod 86 is moved downwardly and when the shaft 194 is rotated counterclockwise, the latching rod 86 is moved upwardly. A support 202 is provided. The support 202 has a first leg 204, a second leg 206, and a support top 208. A shaft extension 210 extends downwardly from the second leg 206 and a mount extension 212 extends outwardly and downwardly from the support top 208. The mount extension 212 is not shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 for greater clarity. An outside handle panel 214 is mounted by bolts 216 in an opening in the outside panel 8. The downturned ends of the first leg 204 and second leg 206 are bolted to the outside handle panel 214 by bolts 218. The upturned end of the support top 208 is also bolted to the outside handle panel 214 by bolts 220. The end of the mount extension 212 is bolted to the second bearing member side 182 by bolts 222. The shaft 194 rotatably extends through a bearing hole in the shaft extension 210 and is prevented from moving toward the rear panel 12 by washer 224 and nut 226 threaded on the threaded end of the shaft 194 and cotter pin 228. A nut 230 is threaded on a threaded portion of the shaft 194 near the first bearing member side to prevent movement of the shaft toward the front panel 10. A rack body 232 is provided. The rack body 232 has a body extension 234. A second rack 236 is formed on the bottom of the rack body 232 and the body extension 234. The second rack 236 operatively engages the second gear 198. A first ledge 238 is formed on a side of the rack body 232 and rides and slides on the first leg 204. A similar second ledge (not shown) is formed on the opposite side of the rack body 232 and rides and slides on the second leg 206. The first ledge 238 and secondledge (not shown) extend from the front of the rack body 232 to where the body extension 234 begins. A support opening 242 is provided in the support back 244 to allow the body extension 234 to travel rearward past the support back 244 until the back of the rack body 232 contacts the support back 244. A cavity 246 is formed in the front of the rack body 232. A first finger 248 and second finger 250 are mounted to the bottom of the cavity 246, as by welding, and project forward from the bottom of the cavity 246. A third finger 252 and fourth finger 254 are mounted to the outside handle panel 214 as by welding, and project rearward. A guide rod 256 is also mounted to the outside handle panel 214, and projects rearward. The rack body 232 has a longitudinal bore 258. The guide rod 256 is slidably but snugly fitted in the bore 258. Thus, the rack body 232 can move back and forth in the support 202 but is held in the desired position. A rack body spring 260 is provided and is positioned between the bottom of the cavity 246 and the outside handle panel 214 to bias the rack body 232 rearward away from the outside handle panel 214. The rack body spring 260 fits over the first finger 248 and second finger 250 and the third finger 252 and fourth finger 254 to hold the rack body spring 260 firmly in place. The guide rod 256 projects through the center of the spring 260. Thus, the rack body 232 is held slidably but firmly in position in and on the support 202 with the second rack 236 operatively engaged with the second gear 198 and with the rack body 232 biased toward the support back 244.

A first lever bracket 262 and second lever bracket 264 are mounted, as by welding, to the outside handle panel 214. A first handle lever 266 and second handle lever 268 are pivotally mounted to the first lever bracket 262 and second lever bracket 264, respectively, by pins 270. A first lever arm 272 extends forward from the first handle lever 166 and through a slot in the outside handle panel 214 and a similar second lever arm (not shown) extends forward from the second handle lever 268 through a similar slot (not shown) in the outside handle panel 214. A flat type door outside handle 276 is mounted, as by welding, to the forward ends of the first lever arm 272 and second lever arm (not shown). A first slotted link 278, having a first slot 280 is pivotally mounted at one end to the first handle lever 266 by pin 262. A first headed pin 284 is mounted to the rack body 232 and extends slidably through first slot 280 with the head of the first headed pin 284 on the outside of the first slot 280. Similarly, a second slotted link (not shown) having a second slot (not shown) is pivotally mounted at one end to the second handle lever 268 by a pin (not shown) and also similarly connected to the rack body 232 by a second headed pin (not shown) slidably mounted through the second slot (not shown). It was thought not necessary to show the second slotted link (not shown) since the shape and connection to the rack body 232 is identical to the first slotted link 278. Thus, it can be seen that if the outside handle 276 is pulled out when the rack body 232 is in the rearward position the rack body 232 will be pulled forward by the first slotted link 278 and second slotted link (not shown). A connecting member 286 is welded at its ends to the first handle lever 266 and second handle lever 268 so that the first handle lever 266 and second handle lever 268 will move simultaneously. A connecting member eye 288 is mounted to the connecting member 286, by welding, and a support top eye 290 is mounted by welding to the support top 208. A lever spring 292 is connected at its hooked ends to and between the connecting member eye 288 and support top eye 290 to bias the first handle lever 266 and second handle lever 268 rearward toward the support back 244. A shelf 294 is welded to the outside handle panel 214. A flat spring 296 having a flat spring recess 298 is mounted to the shelf 294 by bolts 295 and extends rearward. A lug 300 protrudes upward from the rack body 232. The flat spring recess 298 and lug 300 are so positioned and dimensioned that when the rack body 232 is in its full forward position, as limited by the outside handle panel 214, the lug 300 slips into the flat spring recess 298 and holds the rack body 232 fully forward even against the bias of the rack body spring 260. The lug 300 will, however, slip out of the flat spring recess 298 and allow the rack body spring 260 to move the rack body 232 rearward if sufficient rearward force is applied to the rack body 232 in a manner to be described subsequently. A support back arm 302 is welded to the support back 244 and extends forward. A resilient bumper 304 is mounted on the end of the support back arm 302. The resilient bumper 304 contacts the lug 300 when the rack body 232 is moving rearward to bring the rack body 232 to a smoother stop.

Thus, it can be seen that when the rack body 232 is in the rear position, and biased in the rear position by the rack body spring 260, the lug 300 rests against the resilient bumper 304 as shown in FIG. 2. Pulling the outside handle 276 forward pulls the rack body 232 forward until the lug 300 slips into the flat spring recess 298 as shown in FIG. 4. When the outside handle 276 is released, the outside handle 276 is biased to return to the rear position by the lever spring 292 but, the rack body 232 is held forward by the lug 300 and flat spring recess 298 as shown in FIG. 5. The rack body 232 will return to the rear position when sufficient force is applied to move the lug 300 from the flat spring recess 298 as will be explained subsequently. Of course, moving rack body 232 causes second rack 236 to actuate second gear 198, turning shaft 194 and first gear 196, which in turn moves the latching rod 86 since the first gear 196 is in operative engagement with the first rack 200 on the latching rod 86.

A plurality of holes are provided for the latching rod 86 to project through to latch the vehicle door 4 to the vehicle 2. The collision plate bottom 22 has an oblong collision plate bottom hole 306. The door bottom panel I 14 has an oblong bottom panel hole 308. The door latching plate top 56 has an oblong door latching plate top hole 310 and the door latching plate bottom 58 has an oblong door latching plate bottom hole 312. Hole 308 and hole 310 are shown only from the side in F IG. 3. Hole 306, hole 308, hole 310 and hole 312 are aligned.

The vehicle body member has a vehicle body member hole 314. The member extension 72 of the door frame latching member 62 has a door frame latching member hole 316. The hole 314 and hole 316 are aligned.

When the door 4 is closed, hole 306, hole 308, hole 310, hole 312, hole 314 and hole 316 are aligned so that the latching rod 86 can project down through the aligned holes 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 and 316 to securely latch the door 4 to the vehicle frame 74 to prevent possible disaster upon occurrence of an accident.

A striker 318 is mounted to the end of the shaft 194 that is adjacent the rear panel 12. The striker 318 is held on the shaft 194 by bolt 320 threaded through the striker 318 and tightened against the shaft 194. When the rack body 232 is in the rear position adjacent the support back 244 the striker 318 is pointed upward. A striker plate 322 is mounted to the door frame rear 324 by bolt 326. The striker plate 322, door frame rear 324 and bolt 326 are shown in FIG. 7. When the rack body 232 is held in the full forward position, with lug 300 held in the flat spring recess 298, the striker 318 is pointed downwardly. When the rack body 232 is in the full forward position, with the striker 318 pointed downwardly the door 4 may be in the open position since the latching rod 86 is in the full up position with the lower end of the latching rod 86 out of and above the door frame latching member hole 316 and vehicle body member hole 314. The striker 318 and striker plate 322 are so dimensioned and mounted that when the open door 4 is closed, the downwardly pointing striker 318 strikes the striker plate 322 just as the door 4 reaches the fully closed position. When the striker 318 strikes the striker plate 322 the shaft 194 is rotated which moves the rack body 232 backward and the lug 300 is moved from the flat spring recess 298 just as the door 4 reaches the fully closed position. Thus, just as the door 4 reaches the fully closed position the rack body spring 260 can bias the rack body 232 to the fully rearward position which moves the latching rod 86 down through the aligned holes 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316 which securely latches the collision plate 16 and doorlatching plate 54 to the door frame latching member 62 to accomplish the objectives of the invention.

The complete operation of the vehicle door collision plate and latch will now be described, starting with the door 4 in the closed position. When the door 4 is in the closed position the latching rod 86 is in the down position and extends through holes 306,308,310,312,314 and 316 thus securely latching the collision plate 16 and door latching plate 54 to the door frame latching member 62. The latching rod 86 may be now moved to the full up position, out of holes 316 and 314 to allow the door 4 to open by manually actuating either the rod handle 158, the door inside handle 118 or the door outside handle 276. The striker 318 is pointed upwardly.

The pulling rod handle 158 upwardly will move the rod handle 158 upward which will move the latching rod 86 upward as can be seen in FIG. 2. Manually moving the inside handle 118 downward will actuate the linkage including the connecting rod 148 which will move the hook 146 up and move the latching rod 86 up. Pulling the door outside handle 276 outward moves the rack body 232 forward, which turns shaft 194, which will also move latching rod 86 up. The latching rod 86 is now out of and above holes 316 and 314 and the door 4 may be pushed open. When the shaft 194 turns when either of the three methods of opening the door 4 are used the striker 318 will turn down and strike the striker plate 322 unless the door is opened slightly. Opening the door slightly after the latching rod 86 has cleared holes 316 and 314 will allow the striker 318 to not strike the striker plate 322 and either of the three methods of opening the door 4 may be used to continue to move the latching rod 86 to the full up position and thus move the rack body 232 fully forward. This will cause lug 300 to engage the flat spring recess 298 to hold the rack body 232 fully forward which holds the latching rod 86 fully up, as long as the door 4 is kept open. When the door 4 is closed, the downturned striker 318 will strike the striker plate 322 just as the door 4 reaches the fully closed position which will rotate the shaft 194 and move lug 300 out of the engagement with the flat spring recess 298 and allow the rack body spring 260 to bias the rack body 232 to the fully rearward position. This moves the latching rod 86 downward through holes 306,308,3l0,312, 314 and 316 to securely latch the collision plate 16 and door latching plate 54 to the door frame latching member 62. The door 4 is now ready to be opened. And, thus the objectives of the invention are accomplished.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific manufacture shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

lclaim:

l. A vehicle door collision plate and latch for a vehicle which comprises:

a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door;

b. a vehicle body member having a vehicle body member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame;

c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the vehicle body member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the vehicle body member; and

d. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod.

2. A vehicle door collision plate and latch for a vehicle which comprises:

a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door;

b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame;

c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member; and

d. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod.

3. A vehicle door collision plate, latch and inside latching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises:

a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door;

b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame;

c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member;

d. an actuating rod mounted to the latching rod;

e. an inside handle pivotally mounted to the door inside panel; I

f. a link member securely mounted to the inside handle;

g. a latching rod actuating member having a hook pivotally mounted to the door inside panel with the hook positioned underneath the actuating rod; and

h. a connecting rod connected to and linking the link member and latching rod actuating member so that when the inside handle is rotated downwardly the hook moves upwardly causing the latching rod to move upwardly;

i. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod.

4. A vehicle door collision plate, latch and outside latching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises:

a. A collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door;

b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame;

c. a latching rod having a first rack formed on the latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member;

d. a support mounted to the door outside panel;

e. a rack body having a second rack formed on the rack body mounted for reciprocating movement in the support;

f. an outside handle mounted to the rack body for reciprocating the rack body;

g. a shaft rotatably mounted in the vehicle door;

h. a first gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the first rack on the latching rod; and

i. a second gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the second rack on the rack body so that reciprocating movement of the rack body rotates the shaft causing reciprocating movement of the latching rod.

5. A vehicle door collision plate, latch and outside latching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises:

f. a shaft rotatably mounted in the vehicle door; g. a first gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the first rack on the latching rod;

a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole an outside handle is released, and releasing the latching rod and biasing the latching rod to the latched position when the door is closed.

h. a second gear mounted on the shaft and operativeremovably mounted inside the vehicle door; ly engaged with the second rack on the rack body b. a door frame latching member having a door so that reciprocating movement of the rack body frame latching member hole aligned with the collirotates the shaft causing reciprocating movement sion plate hole when the door is closed mounted to of the latching rod; the vehicle frame; i. a striker mounted to the end of the shaft adjacent c. a latching rod having a first rack formed on the the door rear panel; and

latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement j. a striker plate mounted to the door frame rear for in the door for moving in and out of the aligned striking the striker so that when the door is closed collision plate hole and the door frame latching and the door outside handle is pulled forward, the member hole for latching and unlatching the collirack body is moved forward until the lug engages sion plate to the door frame latching member; and 15 the flat spring recess which holds the rack body d. outside latching rod operating means for moving forward and the latching rod in a first position until the latching rod to the unlatched position from the door is closed, upon which the striker strikes outside the vehicle, holding the latching rod in the the striker plate which forces the lug from the flat unlatched position while the door is open although spring recess and allows the rack body spring to bias the rack body rearward to move the latching rod to a second position. 8. A vehicle door latching rod operating mechanism 6. A vehicle collision plate, latch, outside latching rod operating mechanism, and insidelatching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises:

for operating a latching rod having a first rack formed thereon which comprises:

a. a support mounted to the door outside panel;

a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the door; b. a door frame latching member having a door the rack body in the full forward position until released by a rearward force applied to the rack body;

b. a rack body having a second rack formed on the rack body and lug formed on the rack body mounted for reciprocating movement in the supframe latching member hole aligned with the colliport; sion plate hole when the door is closed mounted to (c) a first handle lever and second handle lever havthe vehicle frame; ing first ends pivotally mounted to the door outside c. a latching rod having a first rack formed on the panel; latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement d. a door outside handle mounted to the first handle in the door for moving in andout of the aligned le e nd fl handlfi collision plate hole and the door frame latching e. a first headed pin and second headed pin mounted member hole for latching and unlatching the collion opposite sides of the rack body; sion plate to the door frame latching member; f. a first slotted link havinga first slot and a second d. outside latching rod operating means for moving slotted link having a second slot and having first the latching rod to the unlatched position from ends pivotally mounted to the second ends of the outside the vehicle, holding the latching rod in the first handle lever and second handle lever respecunlatched position while the door is open although tively, and having the first slot and the second slot an outside handle is released, and for releasing the slidably mounted between the first headed pin and latching rod and biasing the latching rod to the the rack body and the second headed pin and the latched position when the door is closed; and rack body respectively; e. inside latching rod operating means for moving the g. a lever spring mounted between and to the first latching rod into the held unlatched position from handle lever and second handle lever and the supinside the vehicle. port to bias the first handle lever andsecond han- 7. A vehicle door latching rod operating mechanism dle lever rearwardly so that when the door outside for operating a latching rod having a first rack formed handle is pulled forward the rack body is moved thereon which comprises: forward but when the outside handle is released a. a support mounted to the door outside panel; the outside handle is biased and moves rearwardly b. a rack body having a second rack formed on the but the rack body can remain forward;

rack body and a lug formed on the rack body h. a rack body spring mounted between the door outmounted for reciprocating movement in the supside panel and the rack body for biasing the rack port; body rearwardly; c. a door outside handle mounted to the rack body i. a flat spring having a flat spring recess mounted to for reciprocating the rack body; the door outside panel for engaging the lug when d. a rack body spring mounted between the door outthe rack body is in the full forward position to hold side panel and the rack body for biasing the rack the rack body in the full forward position until body rearwardly; release by a rearward force applied to the rack e. a flat spring having a flat spring recess mounted to body;

the door outside panel for engaging the lug when j. a shaft rotatably mounted in the vehicle door; the rack body is in the full forward position to hold k. a first gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the first rack on the latching rod; l. a second gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the second rack on the rack body so that reciprocating movement of the rack body rotates the shaft causing reciprocating movement of the latching rod;

m. a striker mounted to the end of the shaft adjacent 9 cle which comprises:

the door rear panel; and

a striker plate mounted to the door frame rear for striking the striker so that when the door is closed and the door outside handle is pulled forward the rack body is moved forward until the lug engages the flat spring recess which holds the rack body forward and the latching rod in a first position until the door is closed, upon which the striker strikes the striker plate which forces the lug from the flat spring recess and allows the rack body spring to bias the rack body rearward to move the latching rod to a second position.

A vehicle door collision plate and latch for a vehia collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door;

b. a vehicle body member having a vehicle body member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame;

. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movemember hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the vehicle body member;

d. inside latching rod operating means for moving the latching rod into the unlatched position from inside the vehicle; and

e. a handle connected to the latching rod for vehicle which comprises:

a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door;

b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame;

0. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member;

d. inside latching rod operating means for moving the latching rod into the unlatched position from inside the vehicle; and

e. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod. 

1. A vehicle door collision plate and latch for a vehicle which comprises: a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door; b. a vehicle body member having a vehicle body member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the vehicle body member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the vehicle body member; and d. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod.
 1. A vehicle door collision plate and latch for a vehicle which comprises: a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door; b. a vehicle body member having a vehicle body member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the vehicle body member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the vehicle body member; and d. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod.
 2. A vehicle door collision plate and latch for a vehicle which comprises: a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door; b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member; and d. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod.
 3. A vehicle door collision plate, latch and inside latching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises: a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door; b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member; d. an actuating rod mounted to the latching rod; e. an Inside handle pivotally mounted to the door inside panel; f. a link member securely mounted to the inside handle; g. a latching rod actuating member having a hook pivotally mounted to the door inside panel with the hook positioned underneath the actuating rod; and h. a connecting rod connected to and linking the link member and latching rod actuating member so that when the inside handle is rotated downwardly the hook moves upwardly causing the latching rod to move upwardly; i. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod.
 4. A vehicle door collision plate, latch and outside latching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises: a. A collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door; b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod having a first rack formed on the latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member; d. a support mounted to the door outside panel; e. a rack body having a second rack formed on the rack body mounted for reciprocating movement in the support; f. an outside handle mounted to the rack body for reciprocating the rack body; g. a shaft rotatably mounted in the vehicle door; h. a first gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the first rack on the latching rod; and i. a second gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the second rack on the rack body so that reciprocating movement of the rack body rotates the shaft causing reciprocating movement of the latching rod.
 5. A vehicle door collision plate, latch and outside latching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises: a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door; b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod having a first rack formed on the latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member; and d. outside latching rod operating means for moving the latching rod to the unlatched position from outside the vehicle, holding the latching rod in the unlatched position while the door is open although an outside handle is released, and releasing the latching rod and biasing the latching rod to the latched position when the door is closed.
 6. A vehicle collision plate, latch, outside latching rod operating mechanism, and inside latching rod operating mechanism for a vehicle which comprises: a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the door; b. a door frame latching member having a door frame latching member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod having a first rack formed on the latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the door frame latching member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the door frame latching member; d. outside latching rod operating means for moving the latching rod to the unlatched position from outside the vehicle, holding the latching rod in the unlatched position while the door is open although an outside handle is released, and for releasing the latching rod and biasing the latching rod to the latched position when the door is closed; and e. inside latchIng rod operating means for moving the latching rod into the held unlatched position from inside the vehicle.
 7. A vehicle door latching rod operating mechanism for operating a latching rod having a first rack formed thereon which comprises: a. a support mounted to the door outside panel; b. a rack body having a second rack formed on the rack body and a lug formed on the rack body mounted for reciprocating movement in the support; c. a door outside handle mounted to the rack body for reciprocating the rack body; d. a rack body spring mounted between the door outside panel and the rack body for biasing the rack body rearwardly; e. a flat spring having a flat spring recess mounted to the door outside panel for engaging the lug when the rack body is in the full forward position to hold the rack body in the full forward position until released by a rearward force applied to the rack body; f. a shaft rotatably mounted in the vehicle door; g. a first gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the first rack on the latching rod; h. a second gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the second rack on the rack body so that reciprocating movement of the rack body rotates the shaft causing reciprocating movement of the latching rod; i. a striker mounted to the end of the shaft adjacent the door rear panel; and j. a striker plate mounted to the door frame rear for striking the striker so that when the door is closed and the door outside handle is pulled forward, the rack body is moved forward until the lug engages the flat spring recess which holds the rack body forward and the latching rod in a first position until the door is closed, upon which the striker strikes the striker plate which forces the lug from the flat spring recess and allows the rack body spring to bias the rack body rearward to move the latching rod to a second position.
 8. A vehicle door latching rod operating mechanism for operating a latching rod having a first rack formed thereon which comprises: a. a support mounted to the door outside panel; b. a rack body having a second rack formed on the rack body and lug formed on the rack body mounted for reciprocating movement in the support; (c) a first handle lever and second handle lever having first ends pivotally mounted to the door outside panel; d. a door outside handle mounted to the first handle lever and second handle lever; e. a first headed pin and second headed pin mounted on opposite sides of the rack body; f. a first slotted link having a first slot and a second slotted link having a second slot and having first ends pivotally mounted to the second ends of the first handle lever and second handle lever respectively, and having the first slot and the second slot slidably mounted between the first headed pin and the rack body and the second headed pin and the rack body respectively; g. a lever spring mounted between and to the first handle lever and second handle lever and the support to bias the first handle lever and second handle lever rearwardly so that when the door outside handle is pulled forward the rack body is moved forward but when the outside handle is released the outside handle is biased and moves rearwardly but the rack body can remain forward; h. a rack body spring mounted between the door outside panel and the rack body for biasing the rack body rearwardly; i. a flat spring having a flat spring recess mounted to the door outside panel for engaging the lug when the rack body is in the full forward position to hold the rack body in the full forward position until release by a rearward force applied to the rack body; j. a shaft rotatably mounted in the vehicle door; k. a first gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the first rack on the latching rod; l. a second gear mounted on the shaft and operatively engaged with the second rack on the rack body so that reciprocating movement of thE rack body rotates the shaft causing reciprocating movement of the latching rod; m. a striker mounted to the end of the shaft adjacent the door rear panel; and n. a striker plate mounted to the door frame rear for striking the striker so that when the door is closed and the door outside handle is pulled forward the rack body is moved forward until the lug engages the flat spring recess which holds the rack body forward and the latching rod in a first position until the door is closed, upon which the striker strikes the striker plate which forces the lug from the flat spring recess and allows the rack body spring to bias the rack body rearward to move the latching rod to a second position.
 9. A vehicle door collision plate and latch for a vehicle which comprises: a. a collision plate having a collision plate hole removably mounted inside the vehicle door; b. a vehicle body member having a vehicle body member hole aligned with the collision plate hole when the door is closed mounted to the vehicle frame; c. a latching rod mounted for reciprocating movement in the door for moving in and out of the aligned collision plate hole and the vehicle body member hole for latching and unlatching the collision plate to the vehicle body member; d. inside latching rod operating means for moving the latching rod into the unlatched position from inside the vehicle; and e. a handle connected to the latching rod for manually reciprocating the latching rod. 